How far apart should I plant Yellow whitlow grass?

About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–15 cm (2–6 in).

Does Yellow whitlow grass need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Yellow whitlow grass need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Yellow whitlow grass?

It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.

When does Yellow whitlow grass flower?

From about March for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Yellow whitlow grass poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.

What grows well with Yellow whitlow grass?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Yellow whitlow grass Draba aizoides

Yellow whitlow grass (Draba aizoides) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Brassicaceae family, native to Limestone mountains of central and southern Europe; in Britain only on the cliffs of the Gower, Wales. It grows 3–10 cm (1–4 in) tall and 5–15 cm (2–6 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.

Plan Yellow whitlow grass in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Yellow whitlow grass at a glance

Type	Perennial groundcover, evergreen
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	3–10 cm (1–4 in)
Mature spread	5–15 cm (2–6 in)
Spacing	10 cm (4 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	6.5–8.5
Cold hardiness	About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3)
Heat stress	Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F)
Flowering	from about March for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	High
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Limestone mountains of central and southern Europe; in Britain only on the cliffs of the Gower, Wales
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy

Is Yellow whitlow grass toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not poisonous.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Yellow whitlow grass

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Questions about Yellow whitlow grass

How far apart should I plant Yellow whitlow grass?: About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–15 cm (2–6 in).
Does Yellow whitlow grass need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Yellow whitlow grass need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Yellow whitlow grass?: It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
When does Yellow whitlow grass flower?: From about March for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Yellow whitlow grass poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
What grows well with Yellow whitlow grass?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).

Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Alpine Garden Society Encyclopaedia of Alpines and plant portraits, Alpine Garden Society, Pershore (UK)
Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)

Notes and assumptions

A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
Tight cushions of stiff, bristle-edged leaf rosettes covered in very early spring with bright yellow flowers on short stems. One of the first alpines to flower; perfect for a trough or wall top.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes